Authorities noticed the car at around 4 a.m. The vehicle was parked illegally in a red zone, and police saw what appeared to be a suspicious package inside.
While an officer was inspecting the glove compartment of the vehicle, a small explosion occurred, apparently from some firecrackers. Police said that officer was "slightly injured" but was expected to be OK.
Investigators also found a small amount of white substance they believed to be narcotics.
The white sedan, which police discovered was stolen, was parked at Vernon and Ninth avenues.
The /*Los Angeles Police Department*/ shuttled area residents from their homes in buses as a precaution while the bomb squad conducted their investigation.
City News Service contributed to this report.